Amber Listserv / Bandsaw question

[Andy Ng]

Hiya Mitch. I'm afraid you're right...the repair charge is about 3/4 the
cost of a new blade and no telling how long the weld last. Looks like I'm
best off using brand-new blades unless I learn how to be a bandsaw doctor.

Hi Johnno. In answer to your question, I cut my amber dry because I found
out that the stuff just turns to fine dust, no melting even at high cutting
speeds. My first bandsaw was a wet/dry rig and as it turned out, the extra
cost for wet-cutting capability was not necessary.
Since I don't have to use water cooling, there's no drying time before the
blanks are ground to the desired shapes with tungsten-carbide drums (also
dry). The savings in time and no messy slurry makes wearing respirators a
minor inconvenience.

I know it's long overdue, but I'll get around to posting some video clips on
youtube on bandsaw work as well as acetone's effect (or lack thereof) on
Borneo amber and Philippine copal.

My thanks to both of you for the input!

Andy


On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 6:46 PM, mssilver <mssilver at optonline.net> wrote:

>  Hi Andy,
>
>
>
> I worked in a machine shop many years ago and the master machinist used to
> weld the blades back together and then regrind the tooth at the weld.  The
> weld tends to be a bit more rigid than the blade itself so it only worked on
> saws with a wide wheel or blade pully thing.  Too sharp of a bend and it
> could possibly snap again.  If the tooth wasn;t ground perfectly then every
> time that weld came around through the material you would know it and not
> cut as cleanly.
>
>
>
> An expert would have to do it and may charge as much as a new blade.  That
> was many years ago and there must be a machine out there somewhere where you
> put the blade in and it welds it in seconds and your done.
>
>
>
> Good luck!
>
>
>
> Mitch
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* amber-bounces at ambericawest.com [mailto:
> amber-bounces at ambericawest.com] *On Behalf Of *Andy Ng
> *Sent:* Saturday, June 21, 2008 3:57 AM
> *To:* amber at ambericawest
> *Subject:* Amber Listserv / Bandsaw question
>
>
>
> Hi guys,
>
> I'm running 3 bandsaws of various sizes to slice Borneo amber and soon will
> add a 4th. The blades are of Swedish and German makes and the guide bearings
> are all precision German ones. Cutting is always done dry, and blade tension
> as well as guide bearing alignment is checked daily.
>
> While the blades do not snap very often and the cost is tolerable, I was
> wondering if it is feasible to repair the broken ones? Or am I better off
> just using a fresh blade when the old one gives way?
>
> Andy
>
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